The prelims for UFC 193 on Saturday night averaged 1,394,000 viewers on FS 1 up against College football and the Democratic debate. This was the highest viewership for a PPV prelims show since the UFC 183 prelims on January 31st. That was the show where Miesha Tate fought in the featured prelim fight. The main card was headlined by the Anderson Silva-Nate Diaz fight, which drew an estimated 650,000 PPV buys.
There is usually a correlation between the prelims number and the final PPV buys number, particularly when the prelims number is large. It should also be noted that on PPV shows where Ronda Rousey is fighting on the main card, the prelims number is up almost 50% over shows where she’s not on the main card.
It should also be noted that there was nothing even close to a big name fighting on the prelims, with the four fights all featuring Australian fighters against low-mid card fighters from the rest of the world, the most well-known being Gian Villante. The featured fight was Jake Matthews vs Akhbar Arreola, neither of whom has even fought on a televised main card in the UFC.
PPV prelims shows during the FS 1 era: 26 shows, 882,840 average viewers
PPV prelims shows during the FS 1 era where Rousey is on main card: 6 shows, 1,204,600 average viewers
PPV prelims shows during the FS 1 era where Rousey is not on main card: 20 shows, 802,400 average viewers
The theory behind this would be that Ronda Rousey is such a big name to the casual audience that the fact that she is fighting on the show raises awareness and brings up the prelims number.
Further evidence that the show did a very strong number of PPV buys is the following:
There have been 8 FS 1 PPV prelims shows that did at least 1 million viewers since the station started airing them in August 2013. Here are the PPV buys for those shows:
UFC 185 was the exception here and that was a show headlined by a main event of Anthony Pettis v Rafael Dos Anjos. The only show during this time period that did a strong PPV buys numbers coinciding with a relatively weak prelims number was UFC 189, which did about 825,000 PPV buys and 847,000 prelims TV viewers.
No estimates are available at this time for how UFC 193 did on PPV although Dana White today on Joe Rogan’s podcast said that the show was trending at well over a million buys. These numbers would suggest that to be a distinct possibility.
The quarterfinals of the WWE title tournament led to an audience rise this week, up to 3.28 million viewers, up from 3.16 million last week and 3.24 million the week before.
The Houston Texans upset of the Cincinnati Bengals going head-to-head did 12.19 million viewers, so Raw did a better number than last week against a more viewed football game.
The pattern remained consistent with the first hour doing well, with the first half hour not against football doing the strongest, and the audience fading in the second and third hours, but not fading at the level of last week.
The third hour was built around Roman Reigns vs. Cesaro and the controversial Paige-Charlotte contract signing.
We’re also looking for live reports from Raw in Greenville, SC with Superstars matches. dark matches and anything else not evident from the live show. Tonight’s show, the go-home Raw for Survivor Series, features quarterfinals of the WWE championship tournament, with Roman Reigns vs. Cesaro, Alberto Del Rio vs. Kalisto, Kevin Owens vs. Neville and Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler. Undertaker is also booked on tonight’s show so they’ll probably do an Undertaker & Kane vs. Wyatt Family angle of some sort.
We’re also looking for reports on yesterday’s Lucha Underground tapings in Boyle Heights, Saturday’s WWE show in Minehead, England and NXT shows in Winter Haven, Orlando and Sebring, Florida, at Dave Meltzer.
Exclusive news on WrestleMania, how SummerSlam has changed due to the Seth Rollins injury, updates on Rollins, notes on the WWE title tournament and what key stars besides Rollins and Randy Orton are now unlikely to wrestle at WrestleMania is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We also look at the different potential finishes of the WWE title tournament, how it looks to be progressing, a look at the Royce Gracie vs. Ken Shamrock fight and look back 20 years to their two previous fights, lots of notes on the fight, and the back story.
We also look at WrestleMania tickets, the Wayne Rooney angle, Dwayne Johnson and Dave Bautista update, More on Alberto Del Rio’s outside business and his angle in Puerto Rico, Undertaker week, WWE make more network predictions, notes from the next Madison Square Garden show, notes on Raw this week, Ronda Rousey talks WWE Divas division, what WWE star is ready to return from surgery, plus notes on all the WWE & NXT arena events of the past week and business note.
We also have our monthly business rundown of WWE and TNA, to see how both groups are doing as compared to the same period last year, as well as a breakdown on how every different WWE main event is drawing over the past month.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
And speaking of Twitter, Lana and Paige went at it on each other last night, a few tweets of which have already been deleted. Essentially, it started out with Lana claiming that Paige bullied her when she was in NXT. It was a discussion point within WWE today, and suffice to say, it’s not an angle.
In a non-coincidence, Charlotte is the guest on WWE’s weekly SportsCenter segment tonight.
Fox 13 in Tampa reporting that police are saying that Matt “Spiceboy” Loyd, a former Bubba the Love Sponge employee, is who stole and leaked the sex videos of Hulk Hogan and Heather Cole. His name had come up in the past but there had been nothing concrete.
The intro for WWE’s “Owen: Hart of Gold” home video release, which is coming out on DVD and Blu-Ray on December 8th, is now available as a preview on YouTube.
Also, as noted on last night’s Wrestling Observer Radio, although she never signed the contract for the Divas Title match on Sunday at any point during the angle, WWE.com shot a photo of her signing backstage after the show went off the air.
Here’s a feature on WWE Hall-of-Famer Bret Hart’s appearance in Utica, NY.
The Rock posted a video on Instagram of the promo before his very first wrestling match back for the USWA. He was a better promo on day one than half the guys on the roster today, perhaps more. Thanks to Mike K.
Speaking of, today is the anniversary of Rock’s first-ever PPV match for WWE.
Other Wrestling
The lineup of CMLL talent heading to the Fantastica Mania shows in January have been announced. Mistico, Volador Jr, Atlantis, Guerrero Maya Jr., Dragon Lee, Fuego, Stuka Jr., Mascara Dorada, Titan, Panther, Hechicero, Mephisto, Ultimo Guerrero, Bobby Z, Virus, Okumura and Cavernario Barbaro.
“Tuesday Night At The Gardens,” Jim Cornette and Mark James’ new book about Louisville wrestling history is now available at Amazon.
Battle Arts Academy has a nice little show planned for 12/6 in Mississauga, Ontario, with Mr. Kennedy, Dalton Castle, Ricochet, Kongo Kong, Rocky Johnson, Pepper Parks, and more.
Here’s a local story on an extra that got asked to play a bigger role in “Chokeslam”, a movie Mick Foley & Sir Lance Storm are in. (Thanks to Mike K.)
Here’s a story about a local pastor bringing wrestling to Milford, DE, with a show featuring Tito Santana. (Thanks to Mike K.)
On the newest edition of Between the Sheets, Kris Zellner and David Bixenspan are joined by Shimmer founder/booker/promoter/announcer Dave Prazak to discuss the week that was November 10-16, 1996. Topics include Curt Hennig jumping to WCW and how WCW botched most of the guys that jumped in this era, Great Sasuke’s influence on wrestling, Chris Jericho’s adventures in Japan, Antonio Pena losing his mind over La Parka jumping to Promo Azteca/WCW, ECW with a memorable November to Remember, and Randy Savage almost jumping to the WWF in 1996.
This week’s Fire Pro Podcast looks at the fall of Ronda Rousey as well as a review of WCW Spring Stampede 2000 here
UFC & MMA
Kenny Florian doesn’t think it would be a good idea to give Ronda Rousey an immediate rematch despite the fact that very early odds for a future rematch have her listed as the favorite. On his and Jon Anik’s podcast, he said, “I think it would be a very bad mistake to give Ronda Rousey an immediate rematch with Holly Holm. I’m telling you now, I don’t think she’s ready. I think she needs to revamp her footwork, revamp her striking and know how to face a southpaw like Holly Holm. If she goes in there and loses for a second time the UFC will lose their biggest star.”
Bellator announced Patricky “Pitbull” Freire vs. Derek Anderson for their 12/4 event in San Jose, CA, headlined by Josh Thomson vs. Pablo Villaseca. The promotion also announced they are heading overseas for three shows in 2016, doing shows in London, Tel Aviv, Israel, and Italy. No dates were announced, but they confirmed the London show will be held at O2 Arena and will be tape-delayed in the U.S.
Here’s a quick hitter from Dana White on Ken Shamrock vs. Royce Gracie in 2016. Needless to say, this is a much different White response than it would have been several years ago.
Scott writes: “Last night (11/16) I was at the Baby Buggy 15th Anniversary Benefit Comedy Show at the Beacon Theatre here in NY where Amy Schumer performed along with Jerry Seinfeld. During her set, Amy said something along the lines of ‘After the Ronda Rousey fight this weekend everyone kept saying that Holly Holm chick “looked like a fit Amy Schumer.” What the hell!? I’M a fit Amy Schumer!’ Not too much on the fight and just a reference used as a joke but the crowd definitely knew what she was referencing, and this was all mainly affluent older New Yorkers.”
Holly Holm is getting even more mainstream notice. Actress/comedienne Amy Schumer tweeted out today “Thanks everyone for congratulating me on my win Saturday. #UFC” and Holm responded by telling her she looked stunning in there.
Titan FC runs on 12/18 in Kansas City, MO, featuring flyweight champion Tim Elliott vs. Pedro Nobre in the main event.
The prelims for Saturday’s UFC did an incredible 1,394,000 viewers up against college football and the Democratic debate. A strong prelim number is usually indicative of a big PPV number.
WSOF announced the full card lineup for Friday’s WSOF 25 on NBC Sports Network. Only one actual fight is announced for the televised card since the early fights are streaming at WSOF.com. Not announcing the lineup ahead of time is usually a recipe for ratings disaster and this show is going up against a Bellator show on Spike and the usual Friday night AXS TV Fights. It would be very surprising if this show does any even close to a good number.
Kansas City, Kansas: – World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz beat Ernie Dusek 2 falls to 0 – Joe Dusek and Mike Sharpe drew – Ben Sharpe beat Ben Morgan – Karl Davis defeated Babe Zaharias
1956
Kansas City, Kansas: – In a match for the Central State title, Richard Brown defeated Dr. Lee Grable to win title – Gene Stanlee defeated Bobby Lane
1972
Denver, Colorado: – Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch beat The Crusher & Billy Robinson in 2 out of 3 falls – Wahoo McDaniel beat Ivan Koloff – Superstar Billy Graham beat George Scott – Lani Kealoha (Jimmy Snuka) beat Larry Hennig by dq
1986
Fort Worth, Texas: – Lance Von Erich & The Dingo Warrior (Ultimate Warrior) defeated Matt Borne & Master Gee (subbing for Buzz Sawyer) to win the World Class Championship Wrestling Tag Team Titles
1996
Madison Square Garden: – Sid Vicious defeated Shawn Michaels to win the WWF World Heavyweight Title – Bret Hart defeated Steve Austin – The Undertaker defeated Mankind
1998
Columbus, Ohio: – Duane Gill defeated Christian for the WWF Light Heavyweight Title
2002
New York City: – Billy Kidman defeated Jamie Noble to capture the Cruiserweight Title – Victoria defeated Trish Stratus in a hardcore match to capture the WWE Women’s Title – Big Show defeated Brock Lesnar to capture the WWE World Title – Eddie & Chavo Guerrero defeated Edge & Rey Mysterio Jr. and Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit in a three way elimination match to capture the Smackdown WWE World Tag Titles – Shawn Michaels defeated Triple H, Chris Jericho, Kane, Booker T and Rob Van Dam in the Elimination Chamber to capture the RAW World Title
2011
Orlando, Florida: – Matt Morgan & Crimson defeated Mexican America to win the TNA World Tag Team Titles
The meat of the show was a good, wrestling-oritented program with Roman Reigns, Alberto Del Rio, Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens advancing to the semifinals of the WWE World Heavyweight Tournament. Unfortunately, the bread that contained that meat was a bad segment with the Undertaker, Kane and the Wyatts combined with the most disgusting angle the WWE has done in years. It was a segment so putrid, it’s one of those times you wonder how the WWE won the Monday Night Wars, then remember it was more the stupidity of the opposition than the skill of the winners.
Show Recap:
They opened the show with a moment of silence to honor the victims in the terrorist attacks in France. In retrospect, this was mordibly ironic.
All four quarterfinal matches in the World Title tournament will air tonight. That includes Neville vs. Kevin Owens and Alberto Del Rio vs. Kalisto.
A group of faceless druids in dark robes came out in advance of the Undertaker and Kane’s entrance. The preceding three sentences took ten minutes of air time.
Kane said they reserved a special place for Bray Wyatt and his family in the darkest pits of hell. Apparently, they run constant reruns of 1999 Nitro there.
Undertaker said Wyatt’s kind of evil is no match for theirs. He said the Brothers of Destruction have already decided their destiny, and they will never Rest in Peace. This led to the Wyatt Family coming out.
Bray said the Brothers of Destruction have reigned supreme for 25 years, and that is long enough. He said it’s time for a new Army of Darkness to emerge. Wyatt said he is the Face of Fear, and after the Survivor Series, they’ll just be remembered as the Brothers he destroyed. Wyatt added that as for the Undertaker’s Creatures of the Night, they are mine. The Wyatt flash went off, the lights went on, and the druids all emerged wearing goat face masks. Around 8 of them charged the ring, but Undertaker and Kane quickly disposed of them, choke slamming two of them. Luke Harper, Braun Strowman and Eric Rowan started to go after them, but Wyatt called them back. Wyatt told them to wait until the Survivor Series, but until then, Follow the Buzzards. Does Wyatt want to start using those magical powers he showed off two weeks ago? Or has that gone the way of those earrings that Dolph Ziggler gave Summer Rae in September?
Kevin Owens defeated Neville in the quarterfinals of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship tournament (10:44)
Owens avoided a Red Arrow and got the pin with the Pop-Up Power Bomb. As good a match as you would expect. A great false finish where Neville went for the Red Arrow, but Owens grabbed the ropes, causing Neville to crash to the mat. Owens went for the Pop-Up Power Bomb, but Neville did a leap frog and pulled off a Reverse Frankensteiner that everybody bought as the finish. Owens kicked out. Neville teased the Red Arrow early, but Owens rolled out of the ring. So Neville responded with a Moonsault to the floor.
Out of nowhere, they showed flashback footage of Paige pinning A.J. Lee from April 2014 to win the Divas Championship in her first night on the main roster. This was done to play up a contract signing between Paige and Charlotte later tonight for Survivor Series.
HHH and Owens had a conversation backstage and the two shook hands.
They aired still photographs from WWE.com of Seth Rollins undergoing surgery for his torn ACL. He’s now getting a total babyface buildup for his return, including a viral campaign using the slogan “Redesign. Rebuild. Reclaim.” That indicates some major heel turn has to be coming soon.
Tyler Breeze defeated R. Truth (4:06)
Tyler Breeze won with the Beauty Shot. Still can’t make sense of Breeze making his company debut with a job to Ambrose last week.
Dean Ambrose defeated Dolph Ziggler in the quarterfinals of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship tournament (16:41)
Ambrose won after hitting Dirty Deeds following a scramble. Another very good match and this show is off to a solid start. Lots of good near falls, including Ziggler selling his knee, but still hitting a Superkick and a Famouser. They had a scientific match, similar to the old Ring of Honor Pure Championship matches. Unique spot where Ambrose and Ziggler were on the top rope together, where they did a double knockdown spot to the floor after landing simultaneous right hands.
Ambrose cut a promo afterwards saying if he became champion at Survivor Series, there would be less talking and more action. Well, he’s screwed.
The New Day defeated the Usos and Ryback by DQ (5:49)
Lame finish. Jey Uso got the heat for most of the match after a tope onto Big E. and Xavier Woods. Uso got the heat for most of the match until Ryback went into the ring illegally and shoved the referee for the DQ. Afterwards, Ryback threw Woods onto Big E. and Kofi Kingston. The Usos had their faces painted like the French flag.
HHH talked with Cesaro before his match with Roman Reigns. HHH told Cesaro he had everything it took to make it to the top, but he was lacking that extra something. He had the ability. HHH, using dialogue that sounds like it came straight from Vince McMahon’s mouth, told him to reach for the brass ring tonight, basically implying he could join the Authority if he beat Reigns. Cesaro looked at his hands after HHH left.
Reigns came out and talked about his fan section, dubbed “The Roman Empire.” Reigns said he knew the road was going to be tougher for him since he refused to join the Authority. But he’s gone too far to sell out now. After getting booed in Manchester, Reigns got a much better reception tonight.
Roman Reigns defeated Cesaro in the quarterfinals of the WWE World Heavyweight Title Tournament (20:21)
Reigns won after a series of counters ending with the Superman Punch and the Spear. Another solid match, but I didn’t think it was as good as Ambrose-Ziggler. Cesaro did a great job of carrying him. Cesaro went for the equalizer late, but Reigns escaped and got the finishing combination. Earlier, Cesaro twirled Reigns around for a 6-rep Giant Swing, which turned into a Sharpshooter, then a crossface before Reigns escaped with a Samoan Drop. Reigns backdropped Cesaro over the top rop, and Cesaro sold his right elbow. Reigns forgot which arm he was supposed to be selling midway through the match.
They did a tribute to Nick Bockwinkel, posting a graphic with JBL and Michael Cole putting him over as the greatest technical wrestler of all time. It was very nice and they invited viewers to go to WWE.com for more interviews regarding Bockwinkel.
The Dudley Boyz defeated the Ascension (3:12)
Bubba Ray Dudley pinned Viktor after the 3-D. It sure did fill 3 minutes.
Alberto Del Rio and Zeb Coulter were stopped backstage by Renee Young. HHH walked in and gave the same speech to Del Rio that he gave earlier to Cesaro about going from the Man of the People to being the Man.
Kalisto did an inset promo about people saying his win over Ryback was a fluke. He said his dreams are bigger than any man and he’s fighting for his life.
Alberto Del Rio defeated Kalisto in the quarterfinals of the WWE World Heavyweight Tournament (10:04)
Del Rio won with the Diving Double Foot Stome while Kalisto was tied to the tree of woe. This was Del Rio’s 4th Raw since his return, and this was the third crowd totally silent for him. He feels like a bigger deal on the underground circuit that he does in WWE because they don’t know how to book superstars that will get over to minorities. It doesn’t help the pairing with Coulter isn’t over a lick. Match was a Lucha-style, which the fans in South Carolina weren’t familiar with.
I guess sensing the attention Holly Holm’s upset of Ronda Rousey received over the last 48 hours, they put Paige’s contract signing with Charlotte in the main event segment. These people have no clue. They went five minutes reciting scripted dialogue, which didn’t have 2% of the impact Holm’s forearm shiver on Rosey did at the weigh-in. Charlotte brought up her late brother Reid, then started to cry, and it felt so forced. Charlotte said Paige was there for her when Reid died, and she thought they were family. Charlotte said it wasn’t about a championship, it was about who has your back at the end of the day. But Paige let her selfish ways get in the way. Charlotte said a champion is someone that little girls watch at home wanting to be like. Charlotte said she won’t be champion forever, but she won’t lose it on Sunday and when she does, it won’t be to someone like Paige.
Paige said no one will have Charlotte’s back on Sunday, not even Ric Flair. Charlotte shouted her down and she just. kept. talking. Then Paige said something about Reid not have much fight in him. God this was awful. They started brawling, but the fans weren’t that hot for it. Charlotte kept escaping from the refs in a pull-apart while the fans just watched without reacting. Charlotte never did sign the contract, which was stupid since that’s what the whole show was built around. A disgusting segment.
SUMMARY:
There are times after big UFC events where on the following Monday’s Raw, the WWE looks like a company that lost it’s relevance and doesn’t even know it. Tonight was largely a good show which also should have anyone who cares about the WWE’s future scared straight. The final segment wasn’t manipulative. It had the ambition to manipulate but failed. And it reeked, not just in terms of quality but of an antiquated mindset of what lures viewers to shows. Charlotte is not a talking personality, but the company put her in that role. In the main event, no less. And that speaks volumes to how out of touch Vince McMahon, Kevin Dunn and other WWE power brokers have worn out their welcome. I have no idea how a company that loses 25% of its audience in three years doesn’t have mass turnover at the main creative end, and tonight was a desperate ploy that failed miserably.
We’re looking for your thoughts on UFC 193 and also the Tenryu retirement show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer
We’re also looking for live reports from Raw tonight in Greenville, SC with Superstars matches. dark matches and anything else not evident from the live show. Tonight’s show, the go-home Raw for Survivor Series, features quarterfinals of the WWE championship tournament, with Roman Reigns vs. Cesaro, Alberto Del Rio vs. Kalisto, Kevin Owens vs. Neville and Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler. Undertaker is also booked on tonight’s show so they’ll probably do an Undertaker & Kane vs. Wyatt Family angle of some sort.
We’re also looking for reports on yesterday’s Lucha Underground tapings in Boyle Heights, Saturday’s WWE show in Minehead, England and NXT shows in Winter Haven, Orlando and Sebring, Florida, at Dave Meltzer
Exclusive news on WrestleMania, how SummerSlam has changed due to the Seth Rollins injury, updates on Rollins, notes on the WWE title tournament and what key stars besides Rollins and Randy Orton are now unlikely to wrestle at WrestleMania is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We also look at the different potential finishes of the WWE title tournament, how it looks to be progressing, a look at the Royce Gracie vs. Ken Shamrock fight and look back 20 years to their two previous fights, lots of notes on the fight, and the back story.
We also look at WrestleMania tickets, the Wayne Rooney angle, Dwayne Johnson and Dave Bautista update, More on Alberto Del Rio’s outside business and his angle in Puerto Rico, Undertaker week, WWE make more network predictions, notes from the next Madison Square Garden show, notes on Raw this week, Ronda Rousey talks WWE Divas division, what WWE star is ready to return from surgery, plus notes on all the WWE & NXT arena events of the past week and business note.
We also have our monthly business rundown of WWE and TNA, to see how both groups are doing as compared to the same period last year, as well as a breakdown on how every different WWE main event is drawing over the past month.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
It’s pretty much official today, which has seemed likely since ROH lost prime time, Destination America will be dropping all its pro wrestling programming. ROH announced its new expansion in syndication into a number of key markets today in conjunction with the news of being off DA.
Axl Rotten on Twitter noted that former ECW star Hack Myers will be undergoing brain surgery at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Best wishes to Myers on a successful surgery and speedy recovery.
I hope Raw does a feature on Nick Bockwinkel tonight. They have run a nice five minute tribute feature on the network I’m told with comments from Gene Okerlund, Greg Gagne and Baron Von Raschke. One thing making it a solid shot is that he’s in their Hall of Fame. If Jerry Lawler was still on Raw, it would be a lock since he and Bockwinkel had so many big matches. But I’m guessing at the very least, John Layfield would bring his name up and say something nice about him.
The WWE.com had a poll of fans who they most want to win the tournament. The numbers have fluctuated over the past two days, but the last time I checked, Cesaro was way ahead with 36 percent, and unless somebody shows this result to Vince and presses him on it, one would think Cesaro has no chance to win today. Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose were dueling evenly for second place, both around 19-21%, with Kevin Owens around 13-16% while there very limited support (as in less than 5%) for Dolph Ziggler, Kalisto and Neville, and less than no support for Alberto Del Rio.
It’s Undertaker week on the WWE Network, including Undertaker’s Greatest Rivals part one tonight after Raw with JBL and part two after Smackdown with several wrestlers talking about their matches with him in a panel format. There will also be a 25 year special on Tuesday at 9 p.m. and Undertaker’s Gravest matches on Wednesday at 9 p.m.
Topps has announced a new WWE trading card series, Undisputed, that will be released on Wednesday. It will have the most autographed cards of any previously released WWE card product, from current names like Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, John Cena, Charlotte and Sasha Banks, to Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart, Trish Stratus Ric Flair, and NXT stars like Sami Zayn, Samoa Joe and Enzo Amore, as well as Pete Rose, Lawrence Taylor, Razor Ramon, Big Bossman, Junkyard Dog, Davey Boy Smith, Curt Hennig and Jay Strongbow.
Spectre with Dave Bautsita remained No. 1 at the box office in the U.S. with $35.4 million this past weekend. It debuted at No. 1 in Australia with $12,069,993 (thanks to James Stanios)
This made its way around the Internet recently, but WWE Divas champion Charlotte told The Sun that she would align herself with the Authority in order to make a match with Ronda Rousey happen. Here’s the interview.
The city of Albuquerque is planning a big celebration of sorts for Holly Holm’s title win over Ronda Rousey on Saturday.
The Holm title win was on the back cover of both of Melbourne’s daily newspapers with further coverage in both the news and sports sections. There were also editorials about the brutality of the sport and using the term sport in quotes. (thanks to Daniel Arnephy)
Tickets for the UFC 1/17 show in Boston featuring TJ Dillashaw vs. Dominick Cruz for the bantamweight title, Anthony Pettis vs. Eddie Alvarez, Travis Browne vs. Matt Mitrione, Tim Boetsch vs. Ed Herman, Paul Felder vs. Daron Cruickshank, Patrick Cote vs. Ben Saunders and more go on sale Friday to the public at 10 a.m priced from $250 down to $50. Fight Club members can get ticketsWednesday and there will get a code for an Internet pre-sale on Thursday.
Josh Koscheck will make his Bellator debut at Bellator 148 on Friday, January 29th against Matt Secor at Fresno, CA’s Save-Mart Center. In the co-main event, Paul Daley faces Andy Urich, so if both men win, you have a ready-made big fight for an early-2016 tentpole show.
Former UFC title contender, current podcast host, and ESPN analyst Chael P. Sonnen will receive the George Tragos award at the 2016 National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Dan Gable Museum during induction weekend on July 14-16. The George Tragos Award is given to an exceptionally competitive wrestler who adapted his or her wrestling skills and competitive nature to excel in MMA.
Dong Hyun Kim will now fight Dominic Waters at UFC Fight Night 79 in Seoul, South Korea on November 28th. Waters replaces Jorge Masvidal, who was moved up to the headline bout against Benson Henderson when Thiago Alves was forced out due to a rib injury. Waters made his UFC debut in July, losing a decision to George Sullivan at the TUF 21 Finale.
MISCELLANEOUS
AAA results from last night in Ciudad Juarez for a TV taping: Dinastia b Mini Abismo Negro, Speedball & Australian Suicide b Daga & Steve Pain, Garza Jr. & Psycho Circus b Dark Cuervo & Dark Scoria & Zorro, El Hijo de Pirata Morgan & Parka Negra & Taurus b Blue Demon Jr. & Electroshock & La Parka, Rey Mysterio Jr. & Psycho Clown & Chris Masters (as a mystery babyface) b Averno & Chessman & Psicosis. Psicosis replaces Cibernetico, who was at Arena Mexico and has left AAA. Pretty much sold out. After the show, Rey Mysterio Jr. & Konnan came out and talked about the history of wrestling in Ciudad Juarez, and Konnan also talked about Eddy Guerrero, who started his career in that arena. This was the first major AAA show in the city in years (thanks to Antonio Garza)
Barry Rose pointed out that today is the 36th anniversary of the death of Eric the Red, real name Eric Hansen, a week after suffering serious head injuries after being hit by a car in Tampa after he had wrestled that night in Miami Beach. Eric Hansen’s intro to pro wrestling was notable as he was from British Columbia, and Karl Gotch was taking on all comers with the idea anyone who he couldn’t submit in five minutes would win money. The wrestlers trained Hansen, who was a huge guy, to just hold onto the ropes so as not to go down, and he was able to do it. Of course, in wrestling, soon that was built up that some fan got the better of Gotch, and JWA in Japan, hearing about that, booked him for a tour and that’s how his career got started.
Premier Wrestling on 11/28 in Gilroy, CA at the IFDES Lodge-Portuguese Hall with a one-night three-way round robin with Jeff Cobb (6-3-1), Timothy Thatcher (4-2-1) and Joe Graves (2-1-1) fought with rounds. JR Kratos (9-2) vs. Gabriel Gallo (4-0) will be the main event. There will also be a womens’ title tournament with Nicole Savoy (3-1), Kahmora (1-1), Raze (0-2) and Kikyo Nakamura (0-1). Tickets are at www.premierwrestle.com
Pro Wrestling Phoenix from Saturday night in Council Bluffs, IA: Con Artiest b Robert Storm, Marek Brave won Battle Royal, Pat Powers b Purple, Hype Gotti & Tony Cortez & Zac James b L-Ray & Joey Daniels & Paul Daniels, Devin Carter b Dalton Lee Roth, Mad Dog McDowell & Jon West b Connor Braxton & Eddie Machete, Mark Sterling b Marek Brave. Next show is 11/29 in Omaha at the Waiting Room Lounge.
SPW from Sunday in Sacramento: Airon Skye won over Johnny Maverick, Scoot Robinson and Truex, Rik Luxury b James Von Eeerie, Sir Samurai & Drake Fost b Mustafa Saed & JD Bishop and TLO & Jonny Yen, Daniel Torch b Will Roberts, Scoot Robertson b Joe DeSoul, Michael Hayashi b Virgil Flynn, Brain Tannen (formerly in WWE developmental) b JR Kratos-DQ. Next show is 12/20 with Tannen defending against Robertson at the SPW Arena in Sacramento. (thanks to Mike Millerick)
NWA Mid South from Saturday night in Dyresburg, TN: Tim Storm b Josh Lewis, Jeremy Moore & Roosevelt b The Posse, Rob Conway b Apoc, Van Vanhorn b Chris O’Neal, Heat Seekers b Matt Riviera & Storm to keep NWA tag titles.
WrestleZone from Saturday night in Aberdeen, Scotland before 840 fans, a sellout: The Rejected b Mr. P & Kaden Garrick, Shawn Johnson b Lord Mr. Malice, William Sterling b Blue Thunder Damien b Bryan Tucker & Johnny Lions, Lewis Girvan & Debbie Sharpe b Aspen Faith & Sammii Jayen, Scotty Swift won over Alan Sterling, Crusher Craib & Bingo Ballance. Mick Foley was at ringside as commissioner for the night. Foley used Mr. Socko on Russell and Sterling at one point on the show.
CHIKARA ends season 15 on 12/5 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia with Hallowicked vs. Icarus vs. Eddie Kingston for the Grand Championship in the main event.
Lucky Pro Wrestling from Sunday in Clinton, MA: Verne Vicallo & Delmi Exo b Tequilla Rosee & Tomahawk, Davianne & Travis Gordon b Scott Levesque & Nikki Valentine, Tessa Blanchard & Anthony Greene b Scotty Slade & Alexus Nevaeah, Jessicka Havok & Brandon Webb b Natalia & Anthony Stone, Keith Gordon b Christian Casanova, Anthony Greene & Tessa Blanchard b Verne Vicallo & Delmi Exo, Davianne & Travis Gordon b Brandon Webb & Jessicka Havok, Tessa Blanchard & Anthony Greene b Daviaenne & Travis Gordon to win tournament
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1968 – Skull Murphy beat Tex McKenzie in Melbourne to win the IWA title
1973 – Sara Lee & Sylvia Hackney beat Mariko Akagi & Peggy Kuroda in Fukushima to win the WWWA tag titles
1979 – Rusher Kimura beat Verne Gagne via count out in Wakayama to win the IWE title. This match was Gagne’s last pro wrestling singles match defeat
1982 – Faraon beat Mascara Ano 2000 in Mexico City to win the NWA light heavyweight title
1986 – Blue Panther beat Gran Hamada in Mexico City to win the UWA jr. light heavyweight title
1996 – Hisakatsu Oya & the Head Hunters beat Masato Tanaka & Koji Nakagawa & Tetsuihiro Kuroda in Osaka to win the World Six Man Street fight titles
2012 – Prince Devitt (Finn Balor) beat Marty Scurll in St. Ives to win the IPW British cruiserweight title
Kansas City, Missouri: – Jim Londos beat Darna Ostopavich to retain the World Title – Jim McMillen beat Buck Olson – Fred Peterson beat Everett Kibbons – Cliff Olson drew George Gostopavich
1946
Wichita, Kansas: – Orville Brown beat Ed Virag to unify the MWA & NWA World Heavyweight Titles (Strangler Lewis was referee) – Roy Graham beat Vincent Lopez by dq – Ray Villmer defeated George Temple – Ronnie Etchison beat Red Ryan
1955
Tokyo, Japan: – Tiger Jokinder & King Kong Czaya defeated Rikidozan & Harold Sakata to win a tournament to crowd the first ever All-Asian Tag Team Champions
1961
Rochester, Minnesota: – Dale Lewis & Pat Kennedy defeated Hardboiled Haggerty & Bob Geigel for the AWA World Tag Team Title – Mr. M beat Tex McKenzie – Steve Druk beat Joe Marconi
1963
St. Paul, Minnesota: – The Crusher beat Verne Gagne in 2 out of 3 falls to win AWA Title when Gagne couldn’t answer the bell for the 3rd fall – Larry Hennig double countout with Moose Evans – Tiny Mills beat Johnny Kace – Maurice LaPointe beat Kurt Von Brauner
1972
Kansas City, Kansas: – Omar Atlas defeated Mike Loren – Bobby Whitlock & Les Thornton fought The Destroyer & Billy Howard to a draw – Steve Bolus defeated The Sheik – Harley Race & Roger Kirby defeated Danny Little Bear & Black Angus
1974
St. Paul, Minnesota: – Larry Hennig & Ivan Putski & Chris Taylor beat Baron Von Raschke & Horst Hoffman & Superstar Billy Graham 2 out of 3 falls – Boris Breznikoff & Bobby Heenan beat Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell by countout – Geoff Portz drew Larry Heiniemi – Yugo Babich beat George Gadaski – Rock Riddle beat Kenny Jay
1984
St. Louis, Missouri: – Crusher Blackwell defeated Harley Race for the Missouri State Heavyweight Title
Denver, Colorado: – AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors beat Fabulous Ones – Curt Hennig & Larry Hennig beat Nick Bockwinkel & Mr. Saito dq – Jimmy Garvin beat Jim Brunzell – Boom Boom Bundy beat Chris Markoff
1992
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: – The Sandman defeated Don Muraco for the ECW Heavyweight Title
1994
Jacksonville, Florida: – The Patriot & Marcus Bagwell defeated Paul Roma & Paul Orndorff to win the WCW World Tag Team Titles – Vader defeated Dustin Rhodes
1996 Memphis, Tennessee: – Jerry Lawler defeated The Colorado Kid to win the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: – ECW World Heavyweight Champion The Sandman defeated Raven – Terry Funk & Tommy Dreamer defeated Shane Douglas & Brian Lee
1998
Wichita, Kansas: – Juventud Guerrera defeated Billy Kidman to win the WCW Cruiserweight Title
2000
Oberhausen, Germany: – General Rection & Alex Wright defeated Mark Jindrak & Sean O’Haire to win the WCW Tag Team Titles
2003
Dallas, Texas: – TEAM ANGLE (Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, John Cena, Bradshaw, and Hardcore Holly) defeated TEAM LESNAR (Brock Lesnar, Big Show, Nathan Jones, Matt Morgan, and A-Train) – TEAM BISCHOFF (Chris Jericho, Scott Steiner, Christian, Mark Henry, and Randy Orton) defeated TEAM AUSTIN (Shawn Michaels, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and the Dudleys) – Goldberg beat HHH to retain the RAW World Title
2008
Las Vegas, Nevada: – Former WWE champion Brock Lesnar captured the UFC Heavyweight championship, defeating Randy Couture
On Monday, Ring of Honor announced a TV deal, but not with a provider you may immediately be familiar with.
Starting Wednesday, December 2nd, ROH’s flagship show will air at midnight on Comet TV, a 24/7 science fiction network that is owned by Sinclair Broadcasting Group, ROH’s parent company. The press release sent touts that the network is available in over 60% of the country and in over 65 million homes as of October 31st.
Essentially, the deal is an extension of the current Sinclair deal, with many of the Sinclair stations now adding a Wednesday night at midnight replay, as well adding distribution in a number of new markets, most notably New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia San Francisco and Houston, where ROH doesn’t have distribution.
The key new stations will be KDOC-TV 32 in Los Angeles, KCNS-39 in San Francisco, WZME-42 in the Bridgeport, CT, market, WCCT-20 in Hartford, CT, KIKU-19 in Honolulu, WOCH-49 in Chicago, WTTV-48 in Indianapolis, WMFP-18 in Lawrence, MA, KVMY-2 in Las Vegas, and KUBE-41 in Houston.
ROH’s 26-week deal with Destination America expires in December, and their final episode on D.A. will be on Wednesday, November 25th. The removal of ROH from the 8 PM EST primetime slot as a lead-in to TNA Impact several months ago was not considered a good sign.
Reports dating back to August were that is was unlikely ROH would be renewed. Jane Latman, who took over from Marc Etkind as the General Manager of the station about six weeks ago, had said she was going to be reviewing all programming, and as of a few weeks ago, that was the information the company had received.
It looks to become tradition that WWE will run NXT events in conjunction with its big three pay-per-views after the huge success of the show two nights before WrestleMania in San Jose and the night before SummerSlam in Brooklyn.
With the Royal Rumble being in Orlando, the home base of NXT, it was a given something would take place. With the NXT Takeover special in December in London, and the company wanting to space out the NXT big shows so more time can be devoted to building angles and keeping them special, it doesn’t look like a live special will happen.
However, HHH announced that they would be doing a television taping on 1/22 in Orlando at the CFE Arena at the University of Central Florida campus, which is the Friday night before the Rumble. The arena, which holds 10,000, meaning with a stage set up capacity would probably becloser to 7,000, will be the biggest NXT event ever in the state of Florida.
